Rep. Irene Haines Opposes Expansion of Trust Act in Criminal Justice Bill
Posted on May 22, 2025
HARTFORD – State Representative Irene Haines (R-34) expressed strong opposition to House Bill 7259, An Act Concerning Revisions to Various Statutes Concerning Criminal Justice, which was debated and passed during Wednesday’s House session. The bill includes sweeping changes to the Trust Act that, according to Rep. Haines, compromise public safety and tie the hands of law enforcement and the courts.
“This legislation continues a dangerous trend of putting the rights of individuals who are in this country illegally ahead of law-abiding Connecticut citizens,” said Rep. Haines. “It weakens the ability of our police and court system to cooperate with federal immigration authorities—even in cases involving serious criminal behavior.”
Among the most concerning changes in H.B. 7259:
- Police officers are prohibited from communicating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in many cases involving individuals in the country illegally who have been arrested for criminal activity.
- The bill extends these restrictions to Connecticut’s court system.
- It allows individuals here illegally to file lawsuits against municipalities if they believe the law was violated, potentially prioritizing those cases over those involving legal residents.
- Even in cases of firearm theft, law enforcement would be barred from involving ICE, despite Connecticut having some of the strictest gun laws in the nation.
“Limiting ICE’s ability to respond to firearm thefts and violent crimes goes against the very principles of public safety and accountability,” Haines said. “This legislation does not reflect the values or the priorities of the communities we represent.”
Rep. Haines encouraged residents to read the bill for themselves and stay informed about how state policies are shifting:
Read the full bill here.
“As your State Representative, I will continue to advocate for common-sense policies that support our law enforcement community, uphold the rule of law, and prioritize the safety of Connecticut families,” Haines said.